BioReference Laboratories, Inc., an OPKO Health company, along with its specialty women’s health division, GenPath, today announces the launch of new testing for aerobic vaginitis (AV)
AV is a vaginal infection caused by the overgrowth of aerobic bacteria that triggers an inflammatory response. Women affected by AV experience vaginal discharge with a foul odor, burning and itching. While AV is a separate infection from bacterial vaginosis (BV), AV commonly co-occurs with BV in 36.9% of vaginal discomfort cases. AV and BV, while similar, require different treatment regimes.
If untreated, complications of AV include an increased risk for contracting sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, premature labor, preterm delivery and premature rupture of membranes.
“Many patients with signs and symptoms of aerobic vaginitis are incorrectly diagnosed with other vaginal conditions; therefore, it is important that they receive more accurate diagnoses,” said James Weisberger, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of BioReference Laboratories. “The availability of laboratory testing for aerobic vaginitis allows us to support healthcare providers and their patients by more accurately assessing the vaginal microbiome, leading to more targeted treatment.”
This announcement of new testing for AV coincides with the 20th Annual National Women’s Health Week 2019, and serves as a reminder for women to make their health a priority and build positive health habits for life.
“With the addition of aerobic vaginitis testing to our already robust test menu for women’s health, BioReference is reaffirming our commitment to patients affected by emerging conditions,” said Geoff Monk, President of BioReference Laboratories. “AV awareness is relatively new to the medical community and we’re pleased to be able to offer diagnostics in disease areas not offered at most clinical laboratories.”
AV testing is available at BioReference through its specialty women’s health division, GenPath, which provides testing in the areas of genetics, reproductive and sexual health, maternal fetal medicine, oncology and urology. Testing for AV is not yet available in New York State, but is available outside of New York.
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